| Tai Chi walking is one of the most important | | | | training. To be in control we must first be aware |
| aspects of Tai Chi practice. Unfortunately it is one | | | | both of what we are doing and also what we are |
| of the aspects that most beginners do not spend | | | | trying to accomplish. What we are trying to |
| enough time on. | | | | accomplish is to have the body in balance so that |
| Someone new to Tai Chi will look at the | | | | we can relax as much as possible while channeling |
| movement of the hands believing this is what | | | | the force of gravity and weight down through our |
| makes the practice so beautiful and graceful. This | | | | body and into the ground. Then shifting this force |
| is right, when you look at a Tai Chi performance | | | | and weight from one foot to the other. |
| it is the slow flowing movements that keep | | | | Taking a step requires that we are in control |
| people in awe, but the movements of the hands | | | | through the whole movement. This means that at |
| and torso should be guided by the practitioners | | | | no point in the step should we find ourselves |
| lower body and waist. | | | | falling. If we are falling we are no longer in control. |
| During practice the whole body must be | | | | To accomplish this the stepping foot is placed |
| connected and move together. To achieve this | | | | down on the ground with absolutely no weight. |
| can be a long frustrating process especially if you | | | | Only then is the weight shifted slowly onto the |
| are expected to learn this coordination strictly | | | | foot. |
| through form practice. If the training is broken | | | | There are three ways to walk and each must be |
| down into different steps the learning process is | | | | mastered: walking forward, walking sideways, and |
| easier because the student can understand the | | | | walking backwards. Once these are mastered |
| different aspects that make up the movements. | | | | then you can start to add the hand movements. |
| Different aspects of training that can be steps on | | | | The hand movements must be coordinated with |
| the learning process include: stance training, shifting | | | | the steps and body. Working on and mastering |
| the weight, Tai Chi walking, single posture practice | | | | this coordination is always easier if you already |
| (where one posture is repeated either in a static | | | | have a good grasp of the walking. |
| stance or while walking), and various stretching | | | | If you are not walking correctly then the hand |
| and Qi Gong exercises. Of these Tai Chi walking is | | | | movements will never be coordinated with the |
| a part of every movement in the form. | | | | rest of the body. This coordination is what makes |
| Tai Chi walking teaches how to be in control of | | | | Tai Chi what it is. Because of this Tai Chi walking |
| our body as we move. It is different from normal | | | | is one of the most important aspects of practice |
| everyday walking and because of this requires | | | | and should not be overlooked. |